Friday, November 20, 2009

In a first for the South Pacific region New Zealand’s largest communications management group, Datamail, has placed an order for two customised HP Indigo W7200 Commercial Digital Presses.

The two new HP Indigo W7200 presses will be installed in February at the company’s new purpose-built Auckland facility and will be used in the production of millions of transactional mail items printed by Datamail on a daily basis.

Until now Datamail has overprinted on transactional shells. But with the installation of the HP Indigo W7200 presses the company will be able to print the entire job – the base stock and variable data content – at the same time in full colour achieving the offset quality its clients expect at increased production speeds and with greater cost efficiencies.

“For twenty years we have been the major player of outsourced transactional and direct marketing communications,” said David Allen General Manager – Product Management, Datamail. “Ultimately we see the transition to full colour digital print as an extension of our commitment to leadership in communication management. In choosing the HP Indigo presses we are doing more than just replacing offset shells, we are expanding our ability to rethink the documents themselves and the communication they contain.”

“The HP Indigo W7200 adds value to our existing offer. This platform opens up opportunities to enter new vertical markets and for example to expand what we are already doing in the transpromotional (TransPromo) space.” TransPromo combines transactional documents (eg; billing) with targeted promotional offers/messaging.

Troy Wood from AM International, HP Indigo’s distributor in New Zealand, said “In addition to transforming the way transactional statements are printed in New Zealand, HP Indigo’s unique ability to produce custom spot colours with genuine offset quality will allow Datamail to explore major growth opportunities not only in TransPromo, but also in direct mail and many other variable data printing applications”.

Datamail turns over in excess of $NZ200 million per annum and employs 1800 people. The company’s offer features a range of Communications Management and Business Process Re-engineering services as well as being the on-line enabler for many clients.

Shane Lucas Director HP Graphic Arts South Pacific commented on the sale, which is the first HP Indigo commercial web press order of its kind for the region. “This purchase is reflective of the convergence of TransPromo concepts with the business and technology enablers that deliver cost benefits and time efficiencies. We look forward to working with Datamail in ensuring a smooth transition to this exceptional platform.”

The new twin-engine, continuous feed HP Indigo W7200 Digital Press clearly raises the bar for digital productivity delivering outstanding offset quality. Building on the success of the HP Indigo press W3250, the new HP Indigo W7200 Digital Press includes features requested by existing commercial web customers and is capable of handling high volume, variable data production runs.

In conclusion Allen said, “With the purchase of the HP Indigo W7200 presses we are re-engineering our very selves not just buying equipment. We are rethinking how we might work with clients to enhance the communication they will have with their customers. These two new presses will allow us to build knowledge and create client confidence that the journey is a stable one. This purchase is just the entry point”.